City Comparison
Waukegan vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Waukegan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waukegan
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Waukegan.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waukegan's average rent is
19% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Waukegan | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,424 | $1,200 | +19% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $90 | $110 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,324 | $2,110 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springfield offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Springfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waukegan is estimated at
$50,000 vs $52,000 in Springfield.
| Metric | Waukegan | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,394 | $69,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,124 idx | 74,194 idx |
| Household Income | $71,919 | $66,064 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Springfield runs warmer on average — a 5.5°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Waukegan sees 7.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waukegan | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.80°F | 55.30°F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | 84.80°F |
| Winter Low | 17.50°F | 20.60°F |
| Rainfall | 31.60 in | 30.10 in |
| Snowfall | 28.20 in | 20.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | 265 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Waukegan.
Waukegan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Waukegan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Waukegan | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Waukegan.
From a growth perspective, Waukegan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Waukegan | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 87,940 | 112,989 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Waukegan
Advantages
Median home values remain significantly lower than the broader Chicago metropolitan average per Zillow data.
Direct Metra rail connectivity provides convenient commuter access to downtown Chicago.
Extensive lakefront property, marina facilities, and natural dunes provide unique recreational opportunities.
Thriving local manufacturing and industrial base acts as a strong regional employment anchor.
Rich cultural arts scene anchored by historical venues like the Genesee Theatre.
Drawbacks
Overall property tax rates in Lake County can place a heavy burden on homeowners.
Certain areas experience higher-than-average crime rates relative to surrounding suburban pockets.
Local median household incomes trail behind wealthier neighboring municipalities in Lake County.
Poverty rates remain somewhat higher than the national average.
Varying industrial legacy sites require ongoing environmental remediation efforts.
Springfield
Advantages
Median home values in Springfield are roughly 51% below the national average per U.S. Census Bureau data.
The cost of living sits approximately 7.3% below the national average according to BEA regional price parities.
Springfield offers an average commute time of roughly 20 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
The city boasts top-tier regional healthcare facilities, serving as a major medical hub for central Illinois.
Rich historical heritage centered around Abraham Lincoln provides unique cultural tourism and educational assets.
Drawbacks
The city has experienced slight population contractions over recent census estimates due to regional migration patterns.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience elevated property crime rates relative to suburban boundaries.
Public transit options outside of core bus routes are limited, maintaining a high reliance on personal vehicles.
State-level budget shifts and local tax structures can create periodic fiscal pressures for municipal services.
Winters can bring harsh freezing temperatures and snowfall, requiring active property and roadway maintenance.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Waukegan
#253Illinois, USA
62.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,424
Avg Salary
$54,394
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
49.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
72
Business
70
Springfield
#390Illinois, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
55.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
Business
67
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Waukegan and Springfield.
Open Cost Calculator